The Christian Defender - One Year Later - Feb 12

Go ahead and try to blow out THIS candle. Preferably without spitting on your computer screen of course.

Yes friends, it's time to celebrate! The Christian Defender is now officially one year old! You can view my first post here and Faith Girl's first post here as well. Keep in mind the X-Def wasn't nearly as polished as it is now. Fact is, I'm still working on it! I'd also like to thank many of you, especially my English friend DizzyFatPlonka (still have no idea what that is) who has been with me from early on. DFP my friend, I hope to one day meet you face to face. I'd also like to thank Belinda, Concerned, Joe S. at JihadiDuJour, CottShop at Sacred Scoop, Gareth at BNP and Me and all the rest of you who have dropped by and left a comment. Hey, even if you didn't leave a comment but still enjoyed my posts I would also like to thank you for your time. My special gratitude however is reserved for none other than Faith Girl. This wonderful Christian woman is not just a contributor here at the X-Def, she is also a true friend of mine. Thank you Faith Girl to you, your three little ones and to your parents for showing me warmth and kindness.

With all those accolades out of the way, I want to make a belated mission statement here. You see, when I started this blog in February of 2006 I had no idea it would still be up and running a year from that time. Indeed, we have come a long way from total obscurity to at least some recognition. The focus of this blog has always been centered on the person of Jesus Christ. Without Him and my previous military experience I would in all likelihood be either dead or in jail. I don't think I'm exaggerating either. I truly believe that God has blessed me with His grace and wisdom. It is my solemn vow to you, my dear reader, that His name be lifted up and glorified above all other names for the duration of my blogging efforts.

For me, blogging was never about being a show-off or being some kind of smart-ass (although I'm still guilty of that charge from time to time). All this B.S. about Liberal vs. Conservative, Republican vs. Democrat, Right Wing vs. Left Wing (politics, not hockey!) is pure nonsense. It's always been about getting it Biblically correct, not politically correct. My sole concern was getting the whole picture and to see things from God's POV. A tough task to be sure, but a much-needed one in this day of confusion. We live in a dangerous time my friend, where telling the truth can get you hurt, black-balled or just plain old-fashioned dead. We also live in a time where true Biblical love is in some serious short supply. Lots of lust and expediency to be sure, but little in the way of love that Jesus practiced and preached. To wit:

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Mt 22:37-40)

You see, Christ's message still resonates with the hearts and minds of men and women today. God's command to us is to love one another as we would want to be loved. That's it. It's not a difficult concept really if you think about it. So many are seeking love through fame and fortune, yet few celebrities, the so-called 'beautiful people' of this world, seem to be able to find it. Love is in short supply all over, from entire regions like the ME and certainly in places like Iraq. It's in demand in churches and in homes, in love-starved marriages and in strained relationships. So my 'thing' is this: Love God with your whole heart and don't hold back. When you do so you'll find it much easier to forgive and forget past slights. That's where the whole 'loving your neighbour' bit comes in. Show mercy and mercy will be shown unto you. Hatred, bitterness and resentment has no place in a Christian heart. That to me is what it's all about. Always has been and always will be. I hope you enjoyed this first year as much as Faith Girl and I did. Here's hoping Year Two will be even better.

Johnny Cash